Show Basics- Tech Project

Build A Show Quality Trunk With A Little Spice To It.

By Mario Escamilla, Photography by Mario Escamilla

Lowrider, July 01, 2008

Over the course of a car's life span, there are many changes that occur in the fashion that is its genre. In the case of lowriding, there is an ever-changing mix of colors and styles that make up the next trend. When the hot ticket has become a fizzled flame, it's time to regroup, refresh, and then show off the newest collaboration and find your new way to the trophy.

Not too long ago, wrinkles and buttons dominated the show floors and streets. That was a time when a street ride paid the trunk no mind. "just make it easy to get to" were the famous last words of many a street rider. Welcome to the 2000s where a street car would take a trophy in many a custom category of a little more than a decade ago. The competition is tough and the streets are filled with back bumper heroes and rolling works of art. The fact still remains that a street car needs easy access to the pumps and batteries, but it can still look good doing it.

This month's subject touches on the simplicity of building a clean street trunk with a little flavor, the basics of a show quality trunk with a little spice to it. Follow along as our street Grand Prix gets a trunk makeover updating the '90s street to 2000s flair.

A saucy mix of product to spice up the trunk of our lovely lowrider.

Like most street rides, this trunk was built for function. It's seen better days but we'll change that.

Like most street rides, this trunk was built for function. It's seen better days but we'll

With the trunk stripped and cleaned, we can start our measurements. We'll simply start on the top and work our way down and around.

With the trunk stripped and cleaned, we can start our measurements. We'll simply start on

With a skilled craftsman's steady hand, we cut out the panel and amp, and notched out spaces for the hydraulic lines.

With a skilled craftsman's steady hand, we cut out the panel and amp, and notched out spac

Step one is to strip the trunk. There were a lot of years under this carpet, so clean-up was not an easy task. The setup could use a little freshening up so we'll incorporate that as well.

Step one is to strip the trunk. There were a lot of years under this carpet, so clean-up w

The measurements were then translated onto a sheet of 3.4-inch MdF.

Now we can test fit the panel and move on to the next portion of the build.

Next, we can start working on the enclosure. Because the racks are not perfectly symmetrical, we've taken a different approach and balanced out the panels to keep symmetry.

Next, we can start working on the enclosure. Because the racks are not perfectly symmetric

Using our handy dandy carpenter's angle finder, we find the angle of the trunk floor transition. While we can't see the final trunk, we know what needs to be done to keep everything looking finished.

Using our handy dandy carpenter's angle finder, we find the angle of the trunk floor trans

The first panel is cut. now what? Time to build around it.

This is where it gets complicated. This box takes advantage of every possible space with multiple panels and angles. Another approach would be to fiberglass this area and gain a little more air space, but simplicity is the approach today.

This is where it gets complicated. This box takes advantage of every possible space with m

The transition is a fairly simple series of panels attached at 90-degree angles. To keep the curve of the tire well, we'll use upholstery chipboard.

The transition is a fairly simple series of panels attached at 90-degree angles. To keep t